Specialist Centres

Importance of referral

Cholangiocarcinoma is a very serious illness and is relatively rare. It is essential that patients are referred to knowledgeable specialists so that they can be properly assessed and offered the right treatment and care for their particular situation.

For initial diagnosis: If you and your GP agree that you need to be referred to a specialist, you can choose to go to any named specialist in the country, but your doctor will need to write a letter of referral.

For a second opinion: Patients who have received a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), may wish to seek a second opinion to ensure their diagnosis is correct and for reassurance that the treatments suggested are the best options for them. A GP or consultant will need to write a letter of referral to a named consultant of choice. Read More

Ideally, cholangiocarcinoma patients should be cared for by a multidisciplinary team specialising in diseases of the hepatobiliary system, ie, the liver and bile ducts, working together on one site with access to the full range of diagnostic investigations and treatment options. The team should include:

Hepatologists (specialists in liver medicine)

Liver surgeons

Oncologists (specialists in cancer medicine)

The following list of centres in the UK and Ireland are those that offer investigation and treatment services for liver diseases, including hepatobiliary services. Inclusion in this list does not mean a centre and its consultants are more specialised than another that has not yet been listed. Please check that any consultant you request a referral from is experienced in cholangiocarcinoma.

This list is not exhaustive and will be added to as more information becomes available.

Please note, details are offered for information only. AMMF does not recommend any particular centre.

Please note: All HPB and hepatology clinical and academic services were recently transferred from University College London Hospital London to the Royal Free Hampstead. UCLH retains its medical pancreato-biliary service and surgical outpatients service.

The main liver unit of Imperial College Healthcare is based at St Mary’s Hospital, with weekly clinics also located at Charing Cross, Hammersmith and St Charles hospitals, see: http://www.uclh.nhs.uk/OurServices/ServiceA-Z/Cancer/cancertypes/HPBC/Pages/Home.aspx

The Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Unit at the Manchester Royal Infirmary works closely with the other acute hospital trusts in the Greater Manchester area – including the specialist cancer centre, The Christie (http://www.christie.nhs.uk/).